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Topping L30 Headphone Amplifier Review

Hi Jim, if you don't mind sharing, was this for a replacement, or for a refund? I am asked to return the device for a refund. I am not sure why there are different rules for replacement (it's ok if we send a pic) and refund (we are mandated to send back the device, and bear the shipping fees - more than $ 80 to ship, excluding customs fees).
Replacement. Whether I use or not is a different question! I suspect the answer is purely financial. Costs Topping far less to make and ship you a new one than it does to refund you $130 or whatever. If everyone asked for refund they would be in trouble.
 
.....I suspect the answer is purely financial.......

Financial and structural:

Replacement = Logistics and Policy determined Topping - Authorized Distributor/Retailer sends information to Topping who directly executes the replacement. Shipping cost paid by Topping. I assume this costs the distributor/retailer nothing.

Refund = Logistics and Policy determined by the Distributor/Retailer who sold the product. Retailer provides the refund and as a result sets their own policy. Shipping costs not paid by Topping. Note that not all retailers are authorized by Topping. My guess is that Tim W's Australian L30 seller was not authorized by Topping, which would explain why they quoted a 2-3 month turnaround (and required a return) for exchange. Individual distributor/retailer procedures will vary and may be open to negotiation.
 
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Can somebody recommend an online store which ships to EU countries and will deliver the proper version, i.e. with the two latest fixes? I plan on ordering this gem soon. Thanks.
I will say this again : there is currently not a single L30 for sale on Earth that has "the two latest fixes".
The second fix (ESD) will only be included in the february batch (2102). It was said by John a few pages ago.
 
I will say this again : there is currently not a single L30 for sale on Earth that has "the two latest fixes".
The second fix (ESD) will only be included in the february batch (2102). It was said by John a few pages ago.
Yep ant implementation of those will take time and there is a Chinese New year celebration coming. Safe bet would be 2103.
 
Hi again, after no answer received from HIFI COLLEGE about the extra charges and fees, i decided to return mine to Amazon.de (starting from 2008). It is not availiable atm at Amazon but it will be in stock at the 6th of March. Do you think they wait for the newest series (2013+) and worth waiting?
 
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I will say this again : there is currently not a single L30 for sale on Earth that has "the two latest fixes".
The second fix (ESD) will only be included in the february batch (2102). It was said by John a few pages ago.

@JohnYang1997, can I kindly ask, you know if we that have requested the replacement will get the "The second fix (ESD)" version?
 
You'll have the fix.
It's one thing that the manufacturer says that people will have the fix. It's another thing that the resellers do what the manufacturer says.
I doubt all resellers comply so easily :
  • Some resellers have already shipped the "fixed L30s" to the customers :oops:
  • I personally have been offered two "fixed L30s" by my reseller. I had to refuse that they shipped them immediately, and I had to insist that I wanted to wait, despite the reseller telling me that "they had all the fixes". I know that's not true. People in this thread know it too.
How could any already produced L30s have the ESD fix, given that the ESD issue was reproduced in Topping lab a few days ago and the fix won't be produced by Topping before february ? They don't have it yet. They have the AC fix (2012+) but not the very recent ESD fix.

We have to be really clear about this !
 
It's one thing that the manufacturer says that people will have the fix. It's another thing that the resellers do what the manufacturer says.
I doubt all resellers comply so easily :
  • Some resellers have already shipped the "fixed L30s" to the customers :oops:
  • I personally have been offered two "fixed L30s" by my reseller. I had to refuse that they shipped them immediately, and I had to insist that I wanted to wait, despite the reseller telling me that "they had all the fixes". I know that's not true. People in this thread know it too.
How could any already produced L30s have the ESD fix, given that the ESD issue was reproduced in Topping lab a few days ago and the fix won't be produced by Topping before february ? They don't have it yet. They have the AC fix (2012+) but not the very recent ESD fix.

We have to be really clear about this !

February keeps circulating, but if I remember correctly, February was mentioned before the ESD issue was investigated.
Perhaps there is an easy fix that they can implement directly in the current manufacturing process.
 
February keeps circulating, but if I remember correctly, February was mentioned before the ESD issue was investigated.
Perhaps there is an easy fix that they can implement directly in the current manufacturing process.
John already said explicitly in this very topic that any changes now would be in the february batch.
That was 12 days ago, a week before they managed to reproduce the ESD issue.
So I don't think any ESD fix has miraculously been added to the january batch in the last 5 days and has been sent already to the resellers. That is not how production batches work, sorry.
 
It's one thing that the manufacturer says that people will have the fix. It's another thing that the resellers do what the manufacturer says.
I doubt all resellers comply so easily :
  • Some resellers have already shipped the "fixed L30s" to the customers :oops:
  • I personally have been offered two "fixed L30s" by my reseller. I had to refuse that they shipped them immediately, and I had to insist that I wanted to wait, despite the reseller telling me that "they had all the fixes". I know that's not true. People in this thread know it too.
How could any already produced L30s have the ESD fix, given that the ESD issue was reproduced in Topping lab a few days ago and the fix won't be produced by Topping before february ? They don't have it yet. They have the AC fix (2012+) but not the very recent ESD fix.

We have to be really clear about this !

I'm curious, where did you buy your L30 from?
I bought mine from @SHENZHENAUDIO and so far they just registered my serial number and told me to wait...
 
Financial and structural:

... My guess is that Tim W's Australian L30 seller was not authorized by Topping, which would explain why they quoted a 2-3 month turnaround (and required a return) for exchange. Individual distributor/retailer procedures will vary and may be open to negotiation.

Actually my retailer, Melbourne Chi-fi Audio, is listed on Toppings website as an authorised retailer, which is why I went there. I got excellent initial service, questions answered and fast shipment in seriously excellent packaging. I also got informed very quickly about the exchange, it's just in the last few days trying to organise the exchange I get the impression my retailer isn't 100% sure of what's expected or why. They mentioned they are a actually a customer of ShenzhenAudio yet they are required to return the items unlike other ShenzenAudio customers in the US and EU. Also, I could get no clarity on weather or not my replacement model would have the ESD fix too because Topping hasn't mentioned it officially and the retailer isn't aware of it.

I really like the unit so I've decided to return it and wait for an exchange. I'd just like confirmation on timing and that the unit will include the ESD fix, even if the exchange takes a month or two, the confirmation sooner rather than later would ease my worries.

@JohnYang1997 For what it's worth, you're doing a good job. It's hard to do what you're doing and as a customer, what I've seen from Topping and it's retailers, has only inspired confidence from me in your brand. Thanks.
 
I'm also seriously waiting for my clarity on this. I can start the replacement program with my shop, but I am just waiting for this...
My shop already started the program and I just returned my amp. Fingers crossed that my replacement amp also contains the second fix.
 
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